Winter Liveaboards in Eastern Ontario

[Artful Dodger]

Its cold but all is well with us looking forward to the warm up.

[winterbuoy]

One year on board we had a blackout for quite a while there at Mimico and we could not get out as the gate did not work. No heat on board except we have a Dickson diesel heater for backup. Not a lot of fun as the ice eaters got frozen under the ice at the same time. Crazy

[The Other Gary]

All well here in Frenchmans Bay. I ran the genny during the power outage of the ice storm.
Today is minus 25 C and the boat is warm, heated shore water line is running free and hot showers on borard. Outside is a little nippy.

[mottseng]

God Bless all you who brave the Canadian winters on board! I have been researching the option of doing the same but have to tell you the cold these past few days here in Oakville Ontario has me thinking twice.

[Navicula]

here is a live aboard boat from frenchmans bay that didnt make it through the power outage.....I am surprised the dock survived.......we will see if it makes it till spring

[Artful Dodger]

I would think if some one is quick they can save the day by floating the sunken section, I would guess there will be insurance involved and therefore something might be done I hope for the owners.

[pyeguy]

Even with winter liveaboard insurance I think they might be in trouble, I know my policy is void if ice sinks my boat. Glad I have an aluminium hull because my bubbler was ineffective to say the least...

[mottseng]

Originally Posted by Mike OReilly

Thanks. I will.

Does anyone know of good winter options further east? We could easily go as far as Cornwall or even Montreal area.

Attended the Toronto Boat show and Mimico Club had a display. As a point of interest they are holding an open house on February 1st to showcase their facility.

[Navicula]

I have been to mimico..... It's a first class operation

[mottseng]

Here we are back into the deep freeze again this week with temperatures dropping to minus 27 C.

[Artful Dodger]

Mottseng I see you have thought about the liveaboard life and winter and yes these cold temperatures seem to make you a little unsure, you are more than welcome to have a visit some weekend if you would like to see and feel the real thing, we are wintering here at Mimico

[Navicula]

I talked to a 20 year live aboard today.......he told me that it has been the coldest they have ever had............boats that are in the water are having some trouble and I have replaced my half horse ice eater to a three quarter horse and it has made a huge difference....I would never purchase a half horse again (its good for a back up)

[Artful Dodger]

We at Mimico are all doing well other than a water main break which is to be repaired in a few days, good that we are all watered up and have had an invitation from the condo behind our club who are also members to have access to shores and water alike. That shows you, sailors stick together. One thing when the sun comes out during the day the deck temperature can reach as high 80F, which in turn warms the boat.

[AD 2]

There was definitely a bit of a chill coming off the hull the last couple of days, but the bubbler (3/4hp) is doing a sterling job, and the boat is ice free. Couple of oil filled rads keep it quite warm enough, and baking muffins helps, too!

We came over from PCHM last year - don't miss the sinking docks over there, but the showers were the best on the lake, no question.

[The Other Gary]

That sinking in Frenchmans bay was more a victim of poor maintainance than the power failure. The pontoon has ben leaking for several seasons and they had no 12v pumping options.